I've been listening to a lot of new stuff over the past month. While all the other indie geeks and critics are fawning over the new albums by Menomena and Of Montreal, my favorite release of January 2007 is easily David Vandervelde's debut album The Moonstation House Band, which has drawn accurate comparisons to Ziggy-era David Bowie and Marc Bolan (T. Rex). Since I'm not much of a music critic, I'll simply urge everyone to at least download the single "Jacket" here or listen to a full stream of the album here. It's really, really good.

Other January releases I like include The Autumn Defense's self-titled third album, The Broken West's I Can't Go On, I'll Go On, Locksley's Don't Make Me Wait (have you heard anything catchier than its title track lately?), and The Shins' Wincing the Night Away. I still haven't made up my mind about Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's Some Loud Thunder or Of Montreal's Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? They might be growers. And while Deerhoof's Friend Opportunity is easily the most accessible Deerhoof album I've heard, I'm absolutely certain now that I'll never be a fan of this band: I just don't get it (although "+81" is a great single). And Norah Jones is still pleasant but boring._________________Michael Scrutchin
Flipside Movie Emporium
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I probably like the Of Montreal best, but that's based solely upon an initial reaction; I first listened over the weekend and haven't had much chance to listen more during the week.

I agree with you entirely about Deerhoof; none of their previous albums strike me as something I can bear listening to more than once or twice, and this new one is more of the same. I'm just happy I bought it through eMusic for pennies.

CYHSY is definitely growing on me (but not as quickly as the first album did). "Satan Said Dance" seems to be a polarizing track--as for me, I dig it.

Sloan is a pretty solid Canadian pop band, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with their collection of 30 new songs. A good Sloan primer is their "greatest hits" set A Sides Win: Singles 1992-2005.

I continue to have little interest in the Shins (did you catch their hearing-paint-dry performance on SNL)? Since I'm not an Autumn Defense fan, I'm probably going to delay hearing the new one until I can pick up a used copy very cheap. Sounds like I need to check out David Vandervelde ASAP, though.

I'm very excited for the new Magic Numbers, Arcade Fire, !!!, Son Volt, and Fountains of Wayne. And, of course, Wilco in May._________________"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment

Sloan is a pretty solid Canadian pop band, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with their collection of 30 new songs.

I haven't had a chance to listen to the entire new album, but I like what I've heard from it.

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I continue to have little interest in the Shins (did you catch their hearing-paint-dry performance on SNL)?

No, I didn't. I'm not a big fan, but I like 'em well enough (so far, they haven't changed my life).

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Sounds like I need to check out David Vandervelde ASAP, though.

Fun fact: The album was recorded in Jay Bennett's studio -- the same place where Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was recorded, and Vandervelde used many of the same instruments (and Bennett co-wrote one of the songs). I think you might like the album.

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I'm very excited for the new Magic Numbers, Arcade Fire, !!!, Son Volt, and Fountains of Wayne. And, of course, Wilco in May.

Same here. The new Lucinda Williams is out in two weeks, which I'm really excited for. _________________Michael Scrutchin
Flipside Movie Emporium
www.flipsidearchive.com

I'm planning to skip it. Her last two have proved to have little staying power for me. My wife and I were going to catch Jones' upcoming Milwaukee concert, but only because M. Ward is opening. Stacy's suggestion was to stay only for Matt, which I might have been willing to do if the tickets weren't priced so high. We'll probably pass on the whole thing._________________"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment

The Decemberists are playing at the Pabst on April 16 and in Madison April 20. I definitely want to check out one of those shows.

Under normal circumstances I would definitely be at the Pabst show, but my graduate studies have forced me to skip it. The Madison show might be more manageable--it's a Friday night--but I'll probably have to miss that, too._________________"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment

Tonight, at the dinner table, my 2-year-old daughter suddenly started singing, in a quiet whisper, "Say-tan, Say-tan..." That'll be tough to explain to her grandmother (a lifelong church secretary)._________________"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment

I'll be at the Decemberists' Orpheum show on April 20th. Anyone else going?

Possibly. I can't make the Pabst show, so I might try to get to the Madison show. 50/50 right now._________________"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment

Under normal circumstances I would definitely be at the Pabst show, but my graduate studies have forced me to skip it. The Madison show might be more manageable--it's a Friday night--but I'll probably have to miss that, too.

let me know beltmann. i'll be there as it stands right now. also scored tix to the tv on the radio show @ the orpheum on march 16.

I'm digging Vandervelde, and The Broken West is fairly catchy, but Field Music and Apples In Stereo--despite their rapturous reviews--strike me as pretty standard-issue indie rock. Perhaps a few more listens will change my mind about one or both._________________"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment

I'm digging Vandervelde, and The Broken West is fairly catchy, but Field Music and Apples In Stereo--despite their rapturous reviews--strike me as pretty standard-issue indie rock. Perhaps a few more listens will change my mind about one or both.

I agree on all counts. I wasn't grabbed by either Field Music or Apples in Stereo upon first listen.

If you want more Vandervelde, he did a Daytrotter Session -- four free, exclusive MP3s, including Vandervelde's cover of the Rolling Stones bootleg "Cocksucker Blues." Recommended._________________Michael Scrutchin
Flipside Movie Emporium
www.flipsidearchive.com

I still haven't found entry points into Field Music and Apples In Stereo, but the Broken West has grown on me considerably. The soundscapes are particularly interesting--for starters, check out the wailing guitar on "Brass Ring," the Sixties-pop of "Baby on My Arm," and especially the cascading piano on "Big City."_________________"When I was in Barcelona they showed pornography on regular television. I'm assuming it's the same way in Mexico since they also speak Spanish." - IMDb user comment